China and Airbus Expand Their Partnership in Civil Aviation

Airbus and China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) have signed a general terms agreement (GTA) covering the purchase by Chinese airlines of a total of 300 Airbus aircraft. The GTA was signed in Paris, France by Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft and future Airbus CEO, and Jia Baojun, chairman of CAS, in the presence of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The GTA comprises of 290 A320 Family aircraft and ten A350 XWB Family aircraft, reflecting demand in all market segments including domestic, low cost, regional and international long haul from Chinese carriers.

According to Airbus’ latest China Market Forecast 2018 to 2037, China will need some 7,400 new passenger and freighters aircraft in the next 20 years. It represents more than 19% of the world total demand for over 37,400 new aircraft.